It was Friday night Minor League baseball with a Major League feel at Canal Park. Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Sam Hentges made a rehab start tonight here in Akron.
It was a game time temperature 59 degrees with clear skies.
Hentges gave up a single, but got out of the inning on a ground ball double play. He pitched the 1st giving up a hit and striking out a batter while topping out at 93 MPH.
In the bottom half Petey Halpin led off with a single to center. Khalil Watson singled to right moving Halpin to 3rd. Halpin came around to score the game's 1st run from 3rd on a balk that moved Watson to 2nd base. After Chase DeLauter struck out, Aaron Branco hit a fly ball down the left field line that dropped near the chalk for a base hit. Watson scored from 2nd base to make it 2-0 Ducks. Dayan Frias drew a walk moving Branco to 2nd, but Alexfri Planez struck out on a foul tip and Joe Lampe struck out looking to end a busy 1st inning for the Ducks. They led 2-0 after one.
The Ducks would hold the 2-0 lead until the top of the 4th. After a Hao-Yu Lee single and a stolen base for Erie, Lee scored from 2nd on a Chris Meyers single to center making it 2-1 Akron lead. Rodney Boone was able to force a ground out fielders choice to end the inning.
The Seawolves would strike again in the top of the 6th. After 2 quick outs, #3 hitter TJ Hopkins smashed a solo HR to right field to tie the game up at 2 a piece. Meyers grounded out to first baseman Joe Naranjo to end the inning.
We stayed tied until the top of the 8th when Erie broke the game open. Eliezer Alfonzo started things with a broken bat single off of Bracho's glove at 2nd and into right field to start the inning. #9 hitter Ben Malgeri then blasted a 2-run HR to right center field to put Erie up 4-2. A Trei Cruz walk and TJ Hopkins single had Erie with runners at 1st and 3rd. A ball hit on the shortstop side of the bag fielded by Bracho couldn't be picked at first base after a great throw attempt. The ball got away allowing 2 runs to score making it 6-2 Erie.
Akron threatened in the bottom of the 8th off Calvin Coker. Dayan Frias drew a one out walk. With two outs, Lampe walked moving Frias to 2nd. The two Ducks were left on the pond as Kody Huff was called out on strikes.
Erie added an insurance run in the top of the 9th off Ducks reliever Trey Benton. Gage Workman walked. Alfonzo grounded out hard Benton who threw him out at first moving Workman to second. Ben Mageri doubled to deep center field scoring Workman to make it 7-2 Erie lead.
The Ducks went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th. Erie took this one 7-2.
Rubberduck fans, get down to Canal Park for tomorrow's game vs the Erie SeaWolves with the 1st pitch scheduled 6:05pm. Believeland Media will be back for more coverage!
James Ellifritz was able to speak with Guardians pitcher Sam Hentges after his rehab appearance.
Comments